I’ve been trying to wrap my head around this for a while before finally sitting down to write something. I always knew this day would come, but I guess you’re never really ready for it. It feels strange knowing there won’t be another match, another tournament, another night spent watching Messi in an Argentina shirt. Even though I knew it was coming, seeing it actually happen still hurts. I grew up watching him play. So many of my football memories have him in them. I watched the defeats, the heartbreaks, the criticism, the years when it felt like it might never happen. And then, somehow, I got to see him lift the Copa América and the World Cup. I’ll always feel lucky for that. Thank you, Leo. For the memories, the emotions, the moments that made me fall in love with football in the first place. Thank you for being such a big part of my childhood without ever knowing it. I’m grateful I got to grow up in a time where I could watch Messi play. I don’t know if another player will ever mean this much to me. Messi will always be tied to my childhood, my memories, and my love for the game. There really won’t be another like him. And honestly, there doesn’t need to be. Thank you for everything, Leo. Goodbye.